Chapter 129: Flashback

The holiday quickly passed with so much joy and love in the air of some noble homes, but it was indeed evident in a small mansion in the C class area of Nalazi, that was Ben's mansion.

Meanwhile, in a lot of other mansions and homes it wasn't so cherry and loving as wives complained, children complained, husbands made frustrated. Hell, even businessmen and women, merchants, and anyone who could spend a minimum of 50 pieces of silver on a dish all complained.

And who was having the brunt of these complaints? It was no one other than Lord Relet.

He couldn't help but curse his son even in his bedridden state for causing him so much trouble and headache at that restaurant under his breath. He, of course, knew of his son's deed of pestering Vivi, the owner of the Golden Heart, in anyway he could, but he didn't stop him when a number of complains came to his office. Letters handwritten by Vivi herself.

Only if he had stopped his son in time then he wouldn't be in this mess. But, like the saying goes; 'There are no medicine for regrets', therefore he can only straighten what he can.

Sighing lightly he picked up another report, half expecting it to be a different topic other than him doing something about The Golden Heart restaurant, but as the heavens have it even one of his council members has sent a complaint saying that his wife and children left the house and threatens to not return if the Golden Heart was not reopened. He slumped even deeper into his chair and sighed heavily this time.

It has been over two months now since the Golden Heart was temporarily closed and over a month after its newest renovation, yet it has yet to open up. And the worst part of it was it was during the worst part of the year for this to happen, as a lot of people would like to go there to get one of their premium holiday dishes that always comes out at the end of every year since it was opened.

*Knock* *Knock*

"Father, are you in?" Lord Relet jerked his head when he heard the voice coming from the other side of the door.

"Elsa, come in." Lord Relet called from his seat while clearing some papers on his desk. The door swung open as Elsa made her way in and took a seat to sit down. "What brings you here, darling?" He asked as love and compassion were shown in his eyes.

"More reports on the Golden Heart?" Instead she asked a question in return.

"*Sigh* Yes, this time even council members brought a report," Relet couldn't wrap his head around it. "I don't understand, there are clearly other restaurants that has been around well before the Golden Heart came into business spread across the city. Why can't they go there instead? If my main source of income wasn't from my own restaurants I wouldn't stay quiet because I certainly know that my restaurants have clearly taken a big hit. Why?" Lord Relet kept asking questions upon questions.

"Father, with you asking these type of question makes me think that you haven't tasted the dish made in the Golden Heart, have you?" Elsa quickly added after considering the possibility that her father haven't tried their dishes.

"Of course I haven't. Why would I when I have the best chefs and cooks this city has to offer?" Lord Relet proclaimed proudly, but like a balloon he became deflated when he saw his own daughter grimace when he made such boast. This made him break out in could sweat. "Does that restaurant have better chefs than me? Do you enjoy their meal more than ours?"

"Father!" Elsa became flustered.

"Answer me." Relet's voice was low but he kept his eyes shut.

"Yes father." She held her head down in shame and admitted that they did indeed have better chefs than her. That was one of the reasons she also like going to hang out with the red haired siblings. But because of her status she cannot mingle too deeply with people of their class... but, she has mingled a little too deep with one of the red hairs.

"Which one?" He asked with his eyes closed as he faced the ceiling.

"Both..." Elsa answered after a short silence.

"Wow. Not only did you eat there, which is perfectly normal, but to openly admit it is better than ours to my face is disappointing. And that is especially when it is coming from your own daughter. What do I do now?" Relet spoke with last part being a mumble. Elsa heard it though but said nothing. After a few second passed with no words she spoke.

"How about you... We go apologize to Ben and see if there..." Lord Relet interrupted her sharply.

"Wasn't taking care of the damages a good enough apology?"

"..."

"It isn't enough, I know." He sighed again in greater defeat. "I feel like I've aged a lot all because of one single man."

"Don't worry Father, things will be back the way they were. By the way, we got an invitation from Vivi and her brother about the celebration they normally have at the end of every year. I was thinking if we could use this opportunity to apologize to Ben since he'll be there." Elsa said bringing out a letter written in intricate designs.

"I guess so, we could use this, but unfortunately, I am not happy with the way a mere boy thinks of himself all high and mighty only because he is a Spellcaster." Lord Relet fumer at the thought of apologizing to someone he could practically give birth too.

"Father, calm down. Besides, it might only happen once or twice and then you will never have to do such again."

"Once or twice? That is already asking for too much. I'll send the butler over to the party and make the apology."

"Father, he sent this invitation directly to you and not Bola. Why don't I go in your stead? That way it wouldn't seem disrespectful but also sincere."

"No way. Do you think I haven't noticed that you spend a lot of time there." Relet refused at once. Elsa had a jolt in her heart when her father said this. Did he know something? What if he already found out? She asked herself, she was scared of what her father might do. "I wonder what you and that Vivi girl always talk about that makes you spend so much time with her?"

"..." Elsa just sat there staring blankly at him. It was only after a minute passed did she realize that he hadn't found out her little secret. She sighed heavily out of relief but tried masking it as a sigh of annoyance at her father's 'over protectiveness'. "Dad, I believe you are more worried that Ben would do something to me than the apology not going through." She said matter of factly. And she was right on point in a way.

"No, I'm not." He tried showing a strong front but he was the same as an open book when lying to her.

After a long heated back and forth argument Lord Relet finally allowed her to attend the party in his stead, but she must have with her two guards at all time. However, she got away with who and who she'll be taking with her.

.....

"I don't see what you would gain by drilling a hole through my head with your eyes while standing behind me." Ben said without turning his head to see who it was. Whoever it was would eventually come up to him.

"It has only been a little close to two years and you seem to have forgotten all about me." A small alluring voice came from a distance behind Ben.

"Why would you say so? I've just been too busy lately that's all." Ben took a sip of his wine but didn't turn around.

"Really? It seems like throwing parties is part of your 'busy' schedule, isn't it?" Elsa came up to the table and sat beside him ordering her own glass.

"What can I say? I just got a free time."

"Well, I bring greetings from my father, Lord Relet, he wishes the Benjamin mansion well." Although her voice wasn't loud her earlier attention grabber made almost everyone hear her words.

"We all know he doesn't, but who would know." Ben came closer to her and whispered.

"You have no idea what it took for him to let me come here. Hehe. Where are the red heads anyway?"

.....

"What do you think about it, do you think he'll consider?" Lord Relet began bombarding Elsa with questions immediately she stepped inside the Manor.

"I'm glad to tell you, father, that the restaurant will be opening up soon." Elsa said after she felt the suspense was enough for her father.

Lord Relet heaved out a huge amount of air that one could consider impossible to hold. Even he didn't believe someone could hold their breath out of anticipation. To Relet it felt like a huge weight has finally been lifted off his shoulder. When Elsa saw her father's expression she knew he must have surfered greatly. And all this can be said to be part of hers, her father, but mainly her brother's fault.